10 Must-Haves For Your Dog When You Go Camping

Don’t forget to bring the 10 best must-haves for your dog when you go camping.

When we got our little rescue dog Apache, we didn’t even think that she could have issues riding in the car with us. Do you have a dog who doesn’t like to ride in the car?

She was maybe 3 months old when we took her out on her first car ride. Oh, she hated it, she was so scared that I let her sit on my lap.

It didn’t really get better and we decided not to take her with us in the car anymore. But that wasn’t the solution either, especially if you want to go on a vacation with your Camper.

What to do when your dog doesn’t like to drive in the car?

What helped us make her feel more comfortable was getting her a big enough crate (but not too big either) and putting her dog bed inside the crate for extra comfort. We went for a long walk before the start of the trip and gave her relaxing hemp oil 30 Minutes before we left, which helped her so much to calm down.

The best two tips before you go on a car trip with your dog:

So try our tips that made Apache’s car rides so much easier for the whole family:

1. We bought her a big enough crate and put her dog’s bed inside the crate for extra comfort. This made a huge difference because it was her bed she felt comfortable in.

2. We also gave her some relaxing hemp oil before the trip, which helped her so much to calm down.

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This made all the difference, making our dog feel more comfortable:

The car crate and bed made a huge difference. She started feeling secure in her own surrounding and with a little help from some relaxing hemp oil she started calming down.

But there is more to think about when you go on a vacation with your dog.

10 Best Must-Haves For Your Dog When You Go Camping

What to bring for your dog when you go on a Camping Vacation

Don’t forget the dog bed

Your dog has to have its space and be comfortable. We noticed that our dog needs something comforting. That is why she got a cuddle dog bed and she loves it:

1. First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is always very helpful. You never know what is going to happen. Bring Benedryl in case of a bite, an allergic reaction, or a bee-stung.

A Tick and Flea Repellent if you go camping in the woods is a must-have:

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2. Vaccination Record

Bring your vaccination record, most of the campsites want to see it.

I always copy the last vet report, with all of her updated vaccinations and keep it in a special folder in the camper.

3. Toys

Bring your dog’s favorite toys, balls, or chewy bones to keep them occupied.

4. Pet Crate

A definite must-have is a pet crate, so your dog travels safely and also comfortably. We bought this collapsible one because it is rather big but easier to store when we don’t need it. The crate is available in different colors and sizes and really easy to set up.

5. A pet monitor

If you like to go out without your pet once in a while, but you don’t feel good leaving him/her behind, maybe consider a camera to see what he/she is doing? I leave one light on for her so she doesn’t get scared in the camper. She goes to bed and waits for us to come home without any issues.

Maybe you still have a baby monitor at home. The perfect option to reuse it now for your pet.

10 Best Must-Haves For Your Dog When You Go Camping

Here are the must-haves for outdoor activities:

6. A dog fence

If you want to relax during your camping vacation and don’t want to worry about him running off after other dogs, a fence is a great idea.

Dogs feel so much safer if they are in their own territory they can protect and play in. You can open the camper door and just let the dog out without worrying.

This is a great option if you want something more sturdy.

This one has stalks and stays put where you want it to be. Depending on your dog you have to decide what is the best option for him.

7. A yoga mat or beach blanket

Does your dog love to swim or take baths but you don’t like him rolling in sand and dirt after the bath? Get a yoga mat and let her sit or lay on the mat. It is so much cleaner and my dog loves to roll on a cool mat.

Also, don’t forget to bring towels and shampoo for your dog. Bad things can happen. For example, our dog gets really dirty on hikes, she loves to swim in dirty water or roll in even worse things.

So pack a pet shampoo and some of your old towels and you are prepared for the worse to get the bad smell off your dog.

I also bring the grooming set to get her fur cut when we are in especially hot areas. She loves to get her fur cut and feels so pretty. These clippers are especially good if your dog has pretty thick fur, like our dog Apache:

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8. A leash with a light clip for nighttime visibility

If you walk your dog at night it is good to have some extra light on you. This leash has an attached flashlight. Whenever you go out at night you won’t forget a light because it is attached.

Need some tips how to plan a road trip?

10 Best Must Haves For Your Dog When You Go Camping – extras

9. Paw balm or protectant

If you decide to take your dog on vacation in either hot or very cold areas, bring some protection for the paws. This paw balm is also good for healing in case the paws are very dry and cracked.

Socks or shoes for your puppies in case it gets really hot or cold.

If you want to protect your dogs’ paws when you go on hikes or to the beach, just bring baby socks and slip them over her paws. This will protect the paws from heat and cold. You can buy them very cheap at the thrift store in dozens.

It took a little while until she got used to the socks, she walked really funny in them. If they are too big for the paws, use rubber bands (loosely) to secure the socks.

10. Extra leash and collar

Bring a spare leash and collar, you never know if one breaks or gets lost or whatever can happen.

I also like to bring a collapsible bowl on hikes, so she can drink comfortably out of her own bowl. I used to let her lick out of her plastic bottle, but that wasn’t very successful.

Download the Dog Packing List here:

Can you leave your dog alone in the Camper for a couple of hours?

Yes, you can, but only if you do the following in case your dog is not used to staying alone.

Definitely take your dog for a walk before you leave him/her.

• know that your pet is not a barker
• leave your pet alone for a maximum of 1 hour to see how she/he is doing before you extend the time
• check with the pet monitor to know what she is doing while you are gone
• leave enough water in the bowl
• depending on your pet, leave him/her in the crate
• leave the AC on or set at a comfortable temperature for your pet
• leave the radio/tv on
• close the blinds
• leave a light on
• put a sticker on your front door saying ‘In Emergencies Pets inside‘.

I made this for you. Print it on sticker paper, cut it out and stick it on your Camper door. Just in case.

Summary of the 10 Best Must-Haves For Your Dog When You Go Camping

Download the Checklist or add to your Packing List whatever you feel is necessary for your puppy. You won’t forget anything important when you go on your trip.

I normally keep all the things I want to bring for Apache in a separate box. Then I don’t need to collect all these items again for our next trip and I won’t forget anything.

But believe it or not it happened to me that I packed everything for her but forgot her food. And that was a small disaster because Apache loves to eat….

See you on the road friend,

Conny xoxo

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